Discover MacRitchie Reservoir 1Introduction 2MacRitchie Reservoir in History 3Navigate MacRitchie Reservoir 4MacRitchie Reservoir’s Secrets 6Our Water Story 8ABC Waters Programme 10Sustainable ABC Waters Design Features at MacRitchie Reservoir 12Water Quality Testing 14 The Meeting of the Habitats 16Human Impact 18Reflections on Water 19A Problem-based Learning Activity 22NEWater Visitor Centre 23Marina Barrage 24

Contents

Copyright © PUB, Singapore’s national water agency 2011. Revised 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,

electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publishers.

For more information, please visit us at wwww.pub.gov.sg/getinvolved.

Hello! Welcome to MacRitchie Reservoir, Singapore’s oldest reservoir, which holds a special place in the hearts of Singaporeans.

MacRitchie Reservoir has undergone a makeover under the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme, an island-wide initiative by PUB, the national water agency, to transform our network of drains, canals and reservoirs into beautiful and clean streams, rivers and lakes that are well-integrated with surrounding parks and green spaces. The ABC Waters Programme creates new community spaces for recreation and bonding, enhances our quality of life and above all, helps to realise Singapore’s vision as a “City of Gardens and Water”.

The makeovers at MacRitchie Reservoir were carried out in 2009 and in 2011. These saw the inclusion of features such as a new amenities centre, a two-storey carpark, bioretention planter boxes, a landscape retention pond, and improvements within the park such as a hilltop food and beverage kiosk and submerged boardwalk.

We would like to thank our partners, Hwa Chong Institution, the National Parks Board and the Ministry of Education for co-creating this trail with us. This trail would not be possible without their valuable feedback.

We hope to make MacRitchie Reservoir an enjoyable place for outdoor learning. As you learn about our waters and the diversity of life it supports, we hope that you will cherish and take care of this precious resource.

Have fun on the Learning Trail!

PUB, the national water agency

Discover MacRitchie Reservoir

1

Turn on the tap and clean, drinkable (potable) water flows. How is this possible?Today we will “get our feet wet” and explore Singapore’s first reservoir – MacRitchie Reservoir.We will discover:

Introduction

The importance of the ABC Waters Programme:An island-wide initiative that will transform Singapore’s pervasive network of drains, canals and reservoirs into beautiful and clean streams, rivers and lakes. By integrating the streams, rivers and lakes with the parks and gardens, new community spaces can be created. These will be bustling with life and activities, and transform Singapore into a City of Gardens and Water, a vision outlined by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

More about our first reservoir, MacRitchie Reservoir.

The water treatment processes that give us clean water.

The need to keep all our waterways and reservoirs clean.

ABC WatersLearning Trail at MacRitchie

Reservoir

Concept of ABC

Waters Programme

Water Qualityfor Water

Supply andSustaining Life

Biodiversityand

Conservation

Human Impactat MacRitchie

Reservoir

History ofMacRitchieReservoir

WaterSustainabilityand the FourNational Taps

Themes in this Learning Trail

2

MacRitchie Reservoir in History

Source: Cheng Lim Keak, Social Change and the Chinese in Singapore, 1985, 7; Singapore Facts and Pictures, 1988, 3; and Singapore Bulletin [Singapore], April 1989, 15.

In the first half-century after it was founded, Singapore grew from a trading post of the British East India Company to a bustling,

cosmopolitan seaport. Singapore’s population also grew rapidly.

What can you learn from the timeline?

1819 Signing of the Singapore Treaty

Population about 1,000

Water was obtained from rivers and wells.

1824Population 10,683

1840Population 35,389

1852 J.T. Thomson proposed that a reservoir be built from the headwaters of the Singapore Creek. However, there was no government support and public interest.

1857 The Straits Chinese merchant Tan Kim Seng donated $13 000 for the improvements of the waterworks in Singapore, but this amount was still insufficient to start the project.

1864 Approval and funds were granted for the construction of a dam to collect (impound) water.

1867 The reservoir was completed – it was called the Impounding Reservoir. The name was later changed to Thomson Road Reservoir in 1907.

1877 The supporting pumps and distribution network were completed.

1891 The Thomson Road Reservoir was expanded to meet increasing water demands under supervision of the Municipal Engineer James MacRitchie.

1922 The reservoir was renamed MacRitchie Reservoir to recognise James MacRitchie’s work.

1860Population 81,734

1891Population 181,602

1942 -1945Japanese Occupation

1800s1850s

1900s

1950

1931Population 557,745

1947Population 938,144

3

MacRitchie Reservoir

Lorn

ieRoa

dSime RoadPIE

Lornie Trail

Trail

Jerin

g

Chemperai Trail

MacRitchieReservoir Park

TrailPetai

Prunus Trail

MacRitchie Nature Trail Sime Track Terentang Trail

Golf Link

Thomson

Upper

Road

PunggolSerangoon

Lower Seletar

Marina

Bedok

TekongWestern

Catchment Reservoirs

Lower PeirceUpper

Peirce

PandanJurong Lake

Tengeh

Poyan

Murai

SarimbunKranji

Upper Seletar

MacRitchie Reservoir

N

Where isyour schoollocated?

Study the maps to find out where MacRitchie Reservoir is; what surrounds it and where the checkpoints of this trail are. Indicate what the land around the reservoir is used for on the map below:

N

LEGENDRoadTrailBoardwalk

Navigate MacRitchie Reservoir

What does the shape of

MacRitchie Reservoir look like to you?

Land Use:

Land Use:

400 m

Not drawn to scale.

4

1

2

3

4

5

6Promenade

TrellisWalk

Hill TopF&B

Lim Bo Seng Memorial

ForestFringe

Zig ZagBridge

Gravel SwalesGreen Carpark

ReservoirDeck

AmenitiesCentre

Shed forCanoes

PaddleLodge

KayakPlatform

Prunus Trail

ForestFringe

Bus Stop

MacRitchie Reservoir

Lornie Road

FishingGround

Dam

Central CatchmentNature Reserve

Central CatchmentNature Reserve

N

LEGENDRoadPathBoardwalkLearning Trail Route

SubmergedBoardwalkDykes and

Reed Beds

Bandstand

100 m

Not drawn to scale.

5

Right in the heart of Singapore is a beautiful nature sanctuary. Take a deep breath and smell the fresh air. From this vantage point, let’s observe what can be found here in the reservoir park. Tick those you can spot.

Amenities Centre

Gazetted as a heritage building, the bridge and bandstand has been refurbished. The bridge’s steel structures and timber works were replaced, and the balustrades were reconditioned. New lighting was installed at the bandstand for night events.

The submerged boardwalk along the edge of the reservoir allows visitors to experience walking on water. The plants along the boardwalk create a natural habitat for dragonflies, fishes and birds.

Lim Bo Seng was a resistance fighter during the Japanese Occupation where he actively participated in anti-Japanese activities and set up the guerilla task force called Force 136. He died in 1944 after being captured and tortured. He was later buried here on a hill in MacRitchie Reservoir in 1946.

The existing asphalt road has been replaced by brick pavements and trellises grown with climber plants to blend into the natural environment of the park. This shaded walkway leads to a focal garden that provides a scenic view of the reservoir.

Submerged Boardwalk

Lim Bo Seng Memorial

Trellis Walk and Focal Garden

Bandstand and Zig Zag Bridge

MacRitchie Reservoir’s Secrets

The amenities centre acts as a gathering point for visitors. It is equipped with shower stalls, a food and beverage kiosk and an announcement stage.

6

Hill Top F &B

At the top of the hill, a new F&B area has been designed with a partial glass roof. Visitors can enjoy dining under the night sky in a more open and natural environment.

The dam is used to impound and hold water within its concrete structure.

Reservoir and Dam

The boardwalk brings visitors closer to nature as they enjoy the serenity of the reservoir.

Boardwalk

Recreational water activities are becoming more popular after the installation of proper infrastructure such as kayak lanes, a larger canoe shed and launching platforms at the floating pontoon.

Gravel swales along the reservoir service roads help to filter coarse sediments so cleaner rainwater flows into the drains and eventually into Marina Reservoir. They also beautify the surrounding landscape.

Kayak Lanes

PUB has opened up designated areas for sport fishing to promote more recreational activities for public enjoyment.

Fishing Area

Gravel Swales

7

Imported WaterSingapore imports water from Johor, Malaysia. The 1962 agreement will

expire in 2061.

Desalinated WaterSingapore has one of Asia’s largest

seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants, producing 30 million gallons of water

a day. Singapore’s second desalination, Tuaspring, officially opened in September

2013, can produce 70 million gallons of water a day.

Our Four National Taps

Local Catchment WaterRainwater is collected through a

comprehensive network of drains, canals, rivers, stormwater collection ponds

and reservoirs before it is treated for our drinking water supply. Used

water is collected through a separate system.

NEWaterNEWater is high-grade reclaimed water.

Used water is treated, then further purified using advanced membrane technologies,

making the water ultra-clean and safe to drink.

Only one percent of Earth’s water is freshwater and this is circulated around the planet as part of the Water Cycle. Many issues, like climate change, are threatening this already scarce resource. Climate Change is characterised by rising average global temperatures and more frequent and intense extreme weather conditions like floods and droughts. These disrupt water supply systems, contaminate water and increase the spread of communicable diseases.

As a global citizen, let’s do our part by valuing and conserving water!

By investing in water technology and adopting an integrated approach to water management over the last 50 years, Singapore has developed a diversified and sustainable water supply system known as the Four National Taps.

Our Water Story

Natural BiofiltrationWater is naturally filtered by the forest and soil.

Run-off water collects in the reservoir.

Central Catchment Reserves

The pumping station pumps water from the reservoir to the water treatment plant.

TRANSPIRATION

CONDENSATION

8

Urban catchment is the collection of rainwater that falls on our urban environment which is then channelled to our reservoirs. With the completion of Marina, Punggol and Serangoon Reservoir, two-thirds of Singapore is now water catchment. There are currently 17 reservoirs, 32 major rivers and more than 7000km of canals and drains.

Therefore, it is important to have an effective rainwater management system to capture and treat rainwater runoff so that cleaner water flows into our reservoirs for our water supply.

PunggolSerangoon

Lower Seletar

Marina

Bedok

TekongWestern

Catchment Reservoirs

Lower PeirceUpper

Peirce

PandanJurong Lake

Tengeh

Poyan

Murai

SarimbunKranji

Upper Seletar

Rain

Draw-off TowerThis draw-off tower draws water from the reservoir and sends it to the pumping station downstream.

DamThe dam is a barrier (embankment) built to collect water behind the dam forming a reservoir.

SpillwayThe spillway is a section of a dam that allows water to overflow from the reservoir, during rainy seasons. This protects the dam and helps control flooding.

Pumping Station

Water Treatment PlantHere, water is treated using physical and chemical methods (including membrane technology) and disinfected. It is then distributed through a network to all parts of Singapore.

Homes

Schools andPublic Buildings

Industries

Kallang River

How do we get our potable water?

Reservoirs in Singapore

EVAPORATION

How does the water in reservoirs reach our neighbourhoods and the city? Trace the major steps that result in the supply of clean, potable water. Which of these water management facilities can be found right here at MacRitchie Reservoir?

PRECIPITATION

Clouds

9

MacRitchie

GREEN(ecology)

ORANGE(community)

BLUE(hydrology)

sustainableurban

environment

The ABC Waters Programme aims to integrate Singapore’s parks (green), reservoirs and waterways (blue), and the community (orange). The use of ABC Waters design features such as bioretention planter boxes help to keep our waters clean. These features are natural systems which detain and treat rainwater on site before allowing the water to flow naturally into the reservoirs. They also form ecological habitats that benefit from the proximity to water sources. New community spaces are created allowing people to get closer to our waters.

What do you think MacRitchie Reservoir is important or significant for? (Tick more than one answer)

Water Supply

Recreation

Tourism

Sports

Environmental Conservation

Research

Aesthetic

Education

Historical Site

Economic Site

Residential Site

Others

ABC Waters Programme

10

MacRitchie Reservoir has a wealth of natural,cultural and historical features. Look around you, select one that interests you and do a fast sketch of it. Remember to add a title, a scale and some annotated notes.

11

Green Carpark

ReservoirDeck

Dam

What are the benefits of having wetland plants in the landscape pond and landscape retention pond?

What is the process used?

The Landscape Pond

Simulating a filtration system found in nature.

Filtration the natural way

Sedimentation

Vegetation

Biological uptake

Filtration

Sustainable ABC Waters Design Features at MacRitchie Reservoir

12

Green Carpark

ReservoirDeck

AmenitiesCentre

Lornie Road

Dam

To Marina Reservoir

Many of these sustainable features have been creatively developed here at MacRitchie Reservoir. You can find these features around the Amenities Centre.

Green Roof of the Amenities Centre

Landscape Retention PondThis retention pond detains water from the landscape pond, rainwater cleansed by the bioretention planter boxes in the carpark, before it flows to Marina Reservoir through Singapore’s drainage network.

The green roof of the amenities centre has elevated trellises to absorb the impact of falling branches and provide a framework for ground-based creepers to grow, creating natural insulation for the centre. The roof surface is also designed to allow seedlings to settle, germinate and flourish into planting beds to provide an additional insulation layer on the building.

Bioretention Planter Boxes

Comprising of plants and soil, the bioretention planter boxes remove impurities in the rainwater collected from the carpark. The clean water is eventually conveyed to Marina Reservoir.

13

Rainwater

Rainwater flows down pipe

Sub-soil pipe channelscleansed water to the Landscape Retention Pond for yet another stage of cleansing by the wetland plants there. The water eventually flows to Marina Reservoirfor our water supply.

Rainwater flowsdown pipe

In the bioretention planter box, rainwater filters through the soil media, removing sediments; while the plants biologically uptake chemicals from the water.

COLOUR The colour of the water can give some clues as to what may be in the water. There may be dissolved pollutants or bacteria. Coloured water, however, does not necessarily mean the water is polluted.

SIGNIFICANCE

OBSERVATION

Turbid or murky brown – soil particles in water, resuspension from the bottom or banks of the reservoir.

Brown or dark brown – brown pigments from leaves called tannins are dissolved in the water.

Green – algae suspended in water – indicates an algal bloom, usually caused by high nutrients in the water, fertilisers or organic matter.

Turbid or murky grey or black.

Others

LOCATION1 2

ANALYSIS

TURBIDITYTurbidity is the level of “murkiness” of the water. It refers to the amount of particles such as soil, sediments, algae or organic matter that are suspended in the water.

Turbidity affects the amount of light that can penetrate through the water, which determines the amount of light reaching the different depths of the reservoir. This in turn has an effect on aquatic plant life.

SIGNIFICANCE

Which is the faintest number you can see on the turbidity disc?LOCATION 1

LOCATION 2

OBSERVATION ANALYSIS

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

SIGNIFICANCEDEBRIS AND SMELL

Observe and smell the water. This can give you basic information about water quality. On its own, water does not have any smell. The smell of the collected water can give you a rough indication of pollution sources.

ANALYSISOBSERVATION What can you see:In the water: On the water surface:

What can you smell:

Good water quality is essential for living things to thrive. The most common standards used to assess water quality relate to the health of ecosystems. Collect some water at two different locations of MacRitchie Reservoir and test for the following parameters. Record your readings and observations in the space below.

Water Quality Testing

14

TEMPERATURE The temperature of the water will vary with the weather and time of sampling. The temperature of water in the reservoir could range between 20 - 30oC which affects the amount of dissolved oxygen. The temperature is higher nearer the surface of the water and lowest near the bottom of a water body.

SIGNIFICANCE

ANALYSISThe temperature of the water is:

READING

o C o C

DISSOLVEDOXYGEN

SIGNIFICANCE

READING ANALYSIS

This refers to the amount of oxygen dissolved in a given volume of water, at a given temperature and atmospheric pressure. It can be measured in milligrams per litre (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm). The minimum amount of dissolved oxygen needed to sustain fish life is about 4mg/l.

The pH of the water is:

pHSIGNIFICANCE

READING

10 2 3 4 9 10 11 12 13 14

Neutral Acidic Basic

Most fishes die Most fishes die5 - 9 Tolerable range for most fishes

pH

Battery

acid

Sulfuri

c acid

Lemon

juice,

Vineg

arAcid

rain (

4.2 - 4

.4)

Acidic l

ake (4.

5)Bana

nas (5.

0 - 5.3

)

Rain (5.

6)Heal

thy Rese

rvoir (

6.5 - 8

.2)

Milk (6.5

- 6.8)

Sea wate

r, Egg

sBaki

ng so

daMilk

of Magn

esia

Ammonia

Soapy w

ater

Bleach

Liquid

drain

cleane

rANALYSIS

5 6 7 8

Orange

juice, S

oda

Other Propertiesof Water:

There are other properties of water that you can test, such as electrical conductivity,hardness of water, amount of nitrates, phosphates and ammonia. Discuss the importance of these properties and how they can be measured.

Overall quality of water

What are the limitations of this water quality testing activity?

CONCLUSION: Where does the water in MacRitchie Reservoir come from? How do these parameters affect the water quality in the reservoir?

Can you drink the water from this reservoir? Why?

15

At MacRitchie Reservoir, two main habitats meet - the freshwater reservoir and the tropical rainforest. Look around you as you walk a section of the Prunus Trail and record the aquatic and forest life you see.

ReservoirWater’s Edge

Pond SkaterRanatra sp.

Red-eared SliderTrachemys scripta elegans

Tadpoles

Singapore RhododendronMelastoma malabathricum

Common Blue Sprite DamselflyPseudagrion microcephalum

Little HeronButorides striatus

White-breasted WaterhenAmaurornis phoenicurus

Malayan Water Monitor Lizard

Varanus salvator

Carpenter BeeXylocopa sp.

Why is MacRitchie Reservoir significant in helping to conserve biodiversity in Singapore?

Plants, Algae, FungiNo.

Animals

Meeting of the HabitatsThe

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Water’s Edge

Secondary Forest

Red Darter DragonflyCrocothemis servilia

Plantain SquirrelCallosciurus notatus

CicadaPurana sp.

Long-tailed MacaqueMacaca fascicularis

Green Crested LizardBronchocela cristatellaElegant Bronzeback Snake

Dendrelaphis formosus

CricketNisitrus vittatus

How can you help protect the biodiversity here?

TembusuFragraea fragrans

White Throated KingfisherHalcyon smyrnensis

Plants, Algae, Fungi No.

Animals

White-bellied Fish EagleHaliaeetus leucogaster

Greater Racket-tailed DrongoDicrurus paradiseus

(Try to hear them!.)

17

Human ImpactLike it or not, human activities impact our environment. Observe the people, facilities, signage and activities happening around you. What are some of these human activities at MacRitchie Reservoir and what potential impact can these have on terrestrial and aquatic habitats?

How would human activities at MacRitchie Reservoir affect water quality and biodiversity?

Your conclusion about having the community at MacRitchie Reservoir.

Always be safe around water. Wear a life-jacket for water

activities. Be careful near areas with deep water.

Possible impact onMacRitchie Reservoir

SuggestedSolutions

Human Activities

Kayaking

Fishing

Jogging

Nature Walks

18

Reflections on WaterWater sustainability involves the conservation of water resources and prevention of water pollution. What can you personally do to help ensure water sustainability in Singapore?

What is your understanding of the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters

(ABC Waters) Programme?

Did you know? World Water Day

is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing

attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating the

need for the sustainable management of freshwater

resources.

19

How can you encourage other visitors to care for MacRitchie Reservoir and

other reservoirs and waterways?

How does MacRitchie Reservoir and its surroundings enrich the lives of Singaporeans?

20

How will you spread the water conservation message to others?

Did you know ? To encourage prudent water use, the price of potable water in Singapore

reflects the (marginal) cost of producing the next drop of water.There are two components in the pricing:

Price of potable water = water tariff + water conservation tax1. The water tariff aims to cover the full cost of

production and supply of water. 2. The water conservation tax is imposed as a percentage of the total water consumption to reinforce the message that water

is precious from the very first drop.

21

1. Each team will take one of these two stands and develop a 10-year plan for MacRitchie Reservoir.

2. The questions for each “stand” are to help you organise your thoughts and ideas, but are definitely not exhaustive. Be creative and imaginative. Come up with more aspects to include in your plan.

3. Suggested timing: 20 - 45 minute to brainstorm and create your plan.

4. Each team makes a 5-minute presentation followed by a 1-2 minute question and answer session. After all the teams have presented, rank the presentation (content, argument and delivery) of each team from 1-5 (“1” being the most compelling and “5” least compelling).

Problem: What’s next for MacRitchie Reservoir?Solve It:

Your team’s stand is to develop MacRitchie Reservoir as a tourist attraction, rivalling the Zoo in its numbers.

Make a presentation of your team’s plan to highlight:

What are the features that will be your main draw?

What new features, facilities or activities (e.g. sports, entertainment) will your team develop to increase visitorship?

Any other considerations to ensure the success of your project - e.g. accessibility of venue, increased amenities like toilets, etc.

What will the impact on MacRitchie Reservoir/ the surrounding area/ the environment be, should your team’s plan be implemented? Is this level of impact “acceptable”? Why?

1Your team’s stand is to preserve MacRitchie Reservoir as an area for water catchment and conservation.

Make a presentation of your team’s plan to highlight:

Why is it important to preserve MacRitchie Reservoir?

How will you ensure continued good water quality?

How much human usage will your new plan allow and what are these? Are there any new activities your team will introduce? Are there any existing activities your team will remove because of its impact?

What are some new facilities/ activities/ features your team plan to enhance at MacRitchie Reservoir for its main goals?

What will the impact on MacRitchie Reservoir/ surrounding area/ environment be, should your team’s plan be implemented? Is this level of impact “acceptable”? Why?

2

A Problem=-based Learning Activity

22

Can we use each drop of water more than once? Yes! Singapore’s answer to that question is NEWater. As one of the Four National Taps that ensures a diversified and sustainable water supply for Singapore, NEWater is treated used water that is further purified. Is water that is used before drinkable? How does reverse osmosis create ‘new’ water? Why do we need to recycle water this way? Visit the NEWater Visitor Centre to find out more. You will be edu-tained by multimedia presentations and games, and witness the operation of advanced technologies in the production of NEWater.

For more information, visit www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/newater

NEWater Visitor Centre

23

Marina BarrageMarina Reservoir is Singapore’s first reservoir built in this millennium, bringing to fruition former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s 20-year vision to dam the Marina Channel to create a freshwater lake. The project materialised around the time PUB had made a paradigm shift in water management, calling on the public to look at water as a shared resource and to develop a joint ownership of our blue spaces.This new-age reservoir, formed by building Marina Barrage across the mouth of the Marina Channel, therefore fulfils more than its promised triple benefits of water supply, flood control and lifestyle activities.

By integrating its core functions together with features designed to attract the public, Marina Barrage helps to advance PUB’s strategic objective to bring people closer to water. Its unique open concept is rare for public infrastructure and is a reflection of PUB’s new approach in water management. There are no gates or fenced-up areas. The public can wander around the open grounds and learn about the Singapore Water Story.For more information, visit www.pub.gov.sg/marinabarrage

24

Acknowledgements

Ministry of Education, Curriculum Planning and Development Division, Humanities Branch and Sciences Branch

Hwa Chong Institution

National Parks Board

www.pub.gov.sg/getinvolved

PUB, Singapore’s national water agency

PUB is the national water agency that manages Singapore’s water supply, water catchment and used water network in an integrated way. PUB won the 2007 Stockholm Industry Water Award and was named Water Agency of the Year at the Global Water Awards 2006.

About PUB’s Friends of Water Initiative Friends of Water aims to recognise, inspire and encourage community stew-ardship of the nation’s water resources. If you care for water and take positive actions for the water cause, you can be recognised as a Friend of Water. Any individual or organisation can be a Friend of Water by taking part in PUB’s events and programmes, adopting a water space or starting your own water activity to educate others.